The impact of autoimmune diseases on delirium risk in critically ill patients: a propensity score matching multicenter analysis

BackgroundDelirium, an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by disturbances in attention, cognition, and consciousness, is a prevalent manifestation of acute brain dysfunction among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. It is considered within the mental health framework as a transient but se...

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Main Authors: Shi-Tao Huang, Kai-Hua Yu, Jing-Wen Yuan, Yi-Bo Sun, Zhong-Ya Huang, Li-Ping Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1621441/full
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author Shi-Tao Huang
Kai-Hua Yu
Jing-Wen Yuan
Yi-Bo Sun
Zhong-Ya Huang
Li-Ping Liu
author_facet Shi-Tao Huang
Kai-Hua Yu
Jing-Wen Yuan
Yi-Bo Sun
Zhong-Ya Huang
Li-Ping Liu
author_sort Shi-Tao Huang
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundDelirium, an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by disturbances in attention, cognition, and consciousness, is a prevalent manifestation of acute brain dysfunction among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. It is considered within the mental health framework as a transient but serious disorder of cognition and behavior. Autoimmune diseases (AID), characterized by systemic inflammation and immune dysregulation, may impact central nervous system function. Currently, their role in delirium pathogenesis among ICU patients remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between autoimmune diseases and delirium incidence in ICU patients.MethodsUsing the eICU Collaborative Research Database, we identified patients with first ICU admissions and documented assessment of delirium. Patients were categorized into AID and non-AID groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability weighting (IPTW) were applied to balance key baseline covariates, including demographics, comorbidities, clinical interventions, and severity scores. The primary outcome was delirium occurrence. The association between AID and the occurrence of ICU delirium was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards and competing risk models, with sensitivity and subgroup analyses to assess the stability of the results.ResultsAmong 8,978 patients (1,007 with AID; 7,971 without), delirium occurred in 29.7% of the cohort. In both crude and matched cohorts, AID was significantly associated with increased delirium risk in univariate and multivariable Cox analyses (p < 0.001). Fine and Gray models confirmed a higher delirium incidence in the AID group after accounting for competing risks of in-ICU mortality (p < 0.001). The KM curves show no significant difference in-ICU mortality rate between the two groups.ConclusionThis study found a significant correlation between AID and the incidence of delirium in ICU, emphasizing the need for heightened delirium surveillance and early intervention in AID patients.
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spelling doaj-art-df9fb694df1e434daa13ed88b83c8d4c2025-07-16T05:36:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2025-07-011210.3389/fmed.2025.16214411621441The impact of autoimmune diseases on delirium risk in critically ill patients: a propensity score matching multicenter analysisShi-Tao Huang0Kai-Hua Yu1Jing-Wen Yuan2Yi-Bo Sun3Zhong-Ya Huang4Li-Ping Liu5The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, ChinaDepartment of Emergency Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, ChinaBackgroundDelirium, an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by disturbances in attention, cognition, and consciousness, is a prevalent manifestation of acute brain dysfunction among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. It is considered within the mental health framework as a transient but serious disorder of cognition and behavior. Autoimmune diseases (AID), characterized by systemic inflammation and immune dysregulation, may impact central nervous system function. Currently, their role in delirium pathogenesis among ICU patients remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between autoimmune diseases and delirium incidence in ICU patients.MethodsUsing the eICU Collaborative Research Database, we identified patients with first ICU admissions and documented assessment of delirium. Patients were categorized into AID and non-AID groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability weighting (IPTW) were applied to balance key baseline covariates, including demographics, comorbidities, clinical interventions, and severity scores. The primary outcome was delirium occurrence. The association between AID and the occurrence of ICU delirium was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards and competing risk models, with sensitivity and subgroup analyses to assess the stability of the results.ResultsAmong 8,978 patients (1,007 with AID; 7,971 without), delirium occurred in 29.7% of the cohort. In both crude and matched cohorts, AID was significantly associated with increased delirium risk in univariate and multivariable Cox analyses (p < 0.001). Fine and Gray models confirmed a higher delirium incidence in the AID group after accounting for competing risks of in-ICU mortality (p < 0.001). The KM curves show no significant difference in-ICU mortality rate between the two groups.ConclusionThis study found a significant correlation between AID and the incidence of delirium in ICU, emphasizing the need for heightened delirium surveillance and early intervention in AID patients.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1621441/fullautoimmune diseasesdeliriumpropensity score matchingrisk factorsintensive care management
spellingShingle Shi-Tao Huang
Kai-Hua Yu
Jing-Wen Yuan
Yi-Bo Sun
Zhong-Ya Huang
Li-Ping Liu
The impact of autoimmune diseases on delirium risk in critically ill patients: a propensity score matching multicenter analysis
Frontiers in Medicine
autoimmune diseases
delirium
propensity score matching
risk factors
intensive care management
title The impact of autoimmune diseases on delirium risk in critically ill patients: a propensity score matching multicenter analysis
title_full The impact of autoimmune diseases on delirium risk in critically ill patients: a propensity score matching multicenter analysis
title_fullStr The impact of autoimmune diseases on delirium risk in critically ill patients: a propensity score matching multicenter analysis
title_full_unstemmed The impact of autoimmune diseases on delirium risk in critically ill patients: a propensity score matching multicenter analysis
title_short The impact of autoimmune diseases on delirium risk in critically ill patients: a propensity score matching multicenter analysis
title_sort impact of autoimmune diseases on delirium risk in critically ill patients a propensity score matching multicenter analysis
topic autoimmune diseases
delirium
propensity score matching
risk factors
intensive care management
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1621441/full
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